NHTSA Complaint #10170582 — 2006 GMC ENVOY XL

DEAR SIR, TODAY WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 ENVOY SUV (APPROX 40,000 MILES ON THE OD ) I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. ABOUT 3/4 WAY THROUGH THE TURN THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL SPEED WITHOUT MY HELP. SINCE THE ROADWAY WAS WET (NOT RAINING AT THE TIME) THE CAR SPED AND SPUN VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER SEPARATING THE FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. WE ( MY WIFE AND I) HIT THE BARRIER WITH A STRONG IMPACT BUT SUFFERED NO SERIOUS INJURY. (WE WERE BELTED) THIS AUTOMOBILE IS USED AS A TOWED VEHICLE AS WE TRAVEL THE COUNTRY IN A MOTORHOME. THE CAR HAS A VARY HEAVY AND STOUT STEEL TOWING BASE PLATE ON THE FRONT. THE BASE PLATE WAS BENT BADLY BUT IT PROTECTED THE CAR FROM SERIOUS DAMAGE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR SOME 42 YEARS WITHOUT EVER HAVING A CHARGEABLE ACCIDENT. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A CONDITION. IF THE BARRIER HAD NOT BEEN THERE WE WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH CARS IN THE OTHER LANES STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. WE REALIZE THAT "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" HAS IN THE PAST BEEN BLAMED ON DRIVERS. I ASSURE YOU THAT THIS CAR TOOK OFF AT FULL THROTTLE AND THIS DRIVER DID NOT TRIGGER SUCH A RESPONSE. CIRCUMSTANCES PREVENTED THIS FROM BEING A MAJOR TA WITH INJURIES. I HAVE NO AXE TO GRIND AND SEEK NO COMPENSATION OF ANY FORM. NOW HOWEVER, I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT MAY HAPPEN. THE ACCELERATION STOPPED UPON IMPACT AND I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT A MILE TO MY CAMPSITE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. PLEASE INFORM ME IF OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS CONDITION AND IF THERE IS A PROTOCOL TO INSURE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THANK YOU, MICHAEL C. MCCOY. *NM